Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool chase League One starlets

In this day and age of multi-million pound signings, so many of them foreign imports, it’s refreshing to hear that some of the Premier League’s biggest spenders are looking closer to home for potential stars of the future.

Two teenage talents in question are Preston’s Josh Brownhill and Shrewsbury’s Ryan Woods who are both attracting interest from above after making an impact with their respective clubs.

Brownhill has only played a handful of first team games, scoring one goal, and hasn’t even signed his first professional contract as yet.

But scouts from far and wide, who first spotted the 17-year-old scoring goals for fun for the Preston youth team, are monitoring his progress with interest.

Brownhill has been promoted to Simon Grayson’s first team after some stunning form for the youth side, which saw him claim six goals in eight games, and he marked his debut for the club with the winner at Gillingham in October.

Preston are in talks to sign Brownhill up on a long-term deal with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Fulham, Stoke, Swansea and Southampton among the clubs to have checked on him in recent weeks.

Cassius Management, who represent the player, insist Brownhill is ‘very happy’ at Preston and that wheels are in motion to secure a professional contract. The sooner the better as far as North End fans are concerned.

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury midfielder Woods is also attracting the attention of a number of Premier League and Championship clubs, according to reports.

Woods is highly-rated at the Greenhous Meadow after coming through the ranks at Shrewsbury and his progress has not gone unnoticed.

The 19-year-old has made 16 appearances this season and whilst he was tied down to a new contract in the summer, Town may find it difficult to ignore advances from would-be suitors.